A fundraiser was held Saturday night for Burien-based community organizer Joshua Watler (pictured above, left) – suffering from a very aggressive form of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) – and over $2,000 was raised.

Watler’s only chance of survival is a “risky and very expensive bone marrow transplant,” according to an announcement.

Organizers are looking to raise $10,000 to help cover his medical expenses, and the benefit was held at Bison Creek Pizza.

“We raised over $2,000 and put Joshua over the top of his goal for what he needs to pay for the transplant itself!” said Organizer Lauren Berkowitz. “We’re so grateful for all of the community support. Thanks to everyone for making the night a wonderful showing of support for Joshua.”

His Mother adds:

Joshua has spent most of his adult life in the service to others. He has been a champion for those who stand up for justice and fight back against those that erode the rights of working families. Thus, Joshua has spent most of his adult career and his thirty-one years in the service of others and his community. He has asked for very little in return. Now my hope for my son, is that with your help and after months of recovery, he will return to this work in 2013 and be the Joshua we know and love. Let’s get Joshua back to doing what he does best.

ABOUT JOSHUA:
Joshua Watler, a visionary and passionate community organizer based in Burien, is battling his second round of leukemia (ALL). First diagnosed in 2009, Joshua has not only survived surgery to remove a tumor, intensive chemo, and years of maintenance chemo, but while he was doing all that the first time, he started a unique community union (OUR Washington) for regular people – often the most disenfranchised and ignored people in our society. He then started a second nonprofit (WA Prosperity Center) to connect the members of his community union and the members of the larger community with available services. He did all this, again, while undergoing cancer treatment. Joshua achieved his first remission last spring. Unfortunately, just 6 months later, the leukemia returned. This time, his only option for survival is a bone marrow transplant. Joshua has been approved and found a match and the dates are set, but now he needs your help; we need to raise $10,000 in just a few weeks to cover his portion of the bone marrow transplant. After the transplant, Joshua will be disabled for months, and he will need further help with funds. Please help us keep Joshua alive, for his sake, for the sake of those of us who love him, and for the sake of the community he serves.

We’re also happy (and humbled) to report that the auction item that sold for the most was for a 3-month Ad on The B-Town Blog!